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Written by Daniel Robinson WriterDaniel Robinson is a writer based in Greenville, N.C. with expertise in auto insurance, loans, warranty options and more. Away from the keyboard, Daniel spends time with his wife and son, plays guitar and obsesses over the Beatles and Baltimore Orioles.
Edited by Jessica Wackler EditorJessica Wackler is a Chicago-based editor with expertise in multiple areas of the auto industry, including insurance, warranties and car selling and buying. In her free time, she enjoys writing sci-fi novels, visiting art museums and playing video games.
Our Research Process Edited by Jessica Wackler EditorJessica Wackler is a Chicago-based editor with expertise in multiple areas of the auto industry, including insurance, warranties and car selling and buying. In her free time, she enjoys writing sci-fi novels, visiting art museums and playing video games.
Why Trust UsHere’s a breakdown of how we reviewed and rated the top auto warranty providers
41 Providers ReviewedOur team looked at dozens of auto warranty providers on the market, including top choices such as Endurance, Olive, CarShield and autopom!
2,215 Data Points AnalyzedWe evaluate thousands of data points including plan costs, warranty plan inclusions and exclusions, customer reviews and more to determine the best car warranty companies.
4,000 Customers SurveyedWe surveyed thousands of customers about their auto warranty experiences in order to get a deeper understanding of how customers feel about each company, what's most important in the purchasing process and more.
505 Research HoursOur team spent hundreds of hours getting warranty quotes, reading customer reviews and reviewing the fine print of warranty contracts to help customers make informed decisions.
Key TakeawaysView Plans For Our #1 Provider – Endurance
Reputation: 8.8/10 Coverage: 9.7/10 Cost: 9.1/10 Transparency: 9.5/10 Customer Experience: 8.5/10
Out of 41 companies reviewed, Endurance is our top-rated auto warranty provider
Quick Facts Plan Coverage and Perks Quick Facts| Plan coverage includes | Endurance Elite perks™ |
|---|---|
| Exclusionary plan | One-year membership for free |
| Powertrain plan | Tire repair and replacement |
| Maintainance coverage with Endurance Advantage | Key fob replacement |
| Roadside assistance | Total loss protection |
| Towing | Collision discount |
| Rental car | $250 rewards voucher |
| Trip interruption coverage | Endurance Protect app |
The Lexus Vehicle Service Agreement (VSA) is the brand’s version of an extended warranty. A VSA can give drivers several years of additional coverage after their original factory warranty expires. If you’re a Lexus owner, buying an extended car warranty can give you extra peace of mind and protect you against expensive future repairs. However, the brand is known for having some of the most reliable vehicles on the market.
Below are general terms and conditions that apply to all Lexus extended warranties:
Availability: All Lexus VSAs must be purchased at a Lexus dealership. New vehicle plans can be purchased at any time before 4 years/50,000 miles when the factory warranty expires. Used vehicle plans are only available at the time of used vehicle purchase or lease.
Eligibility: Vehicles with up to four years or 50,000 miles are considered “new” and eligible for coverage. Lexus vehicles within the current plus nine model years and with less than 125,000 miles are considered “used” and eligible for extended warranty coverage.
Financing: Lexus extended warranty costs can be included with your vehicle’s financing.
Licensed repair shops: Covered maintenance and repairs must be performed at a Lexus dealership by a factory-certified technician.
Replacement components: Factory-approved components are used for all part replacements needed during covered repairs.
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Added benefits: All plans include roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and travel reimbursement.
Deductible options: Lexus owners who purchase an Extra Care VSA can choose between $0 and $100 disappearing deductibles; the deductible is waived if repairs take place where the vehicle was purchased.
Transferability: Coverage can be transferred from the original owner to a private party once. Dealers aren’t allowed to take part in extended warranty transfers.
Cancellations: Lexus extended warranties can be canceled for a full refund within 30 days for a processing fee of $50, as permitted by state law. If applied after 30 days, Lexus VSA cancellations are prorated.
Lexus Vehicle Service Plans are available in the levels of Extra Care Platinum , Extra Care Gold and Extra Care Powertrain . Below, we’ve broken down the extended coverage plans available to purchase from a Lexus dealer:
Maximum term: 4 years/50,000 miles
Systems covered: Comprehensive coverage that protects against the majority of mechanical breakdowns
This plan offers bumper-to-bumper coverage, with only a short list of exclusions.
Maximum term: 4 years/50,000 miles
Systems covered: Powertrain components and several additional systems
Lexus Gold protection covers key powertrain elements as well as air conditioning, brakes, the cooling system, fuel system and steering components.
Maximum term: 4 years/50,000 miles
Systems covered: Engine, drive axle(s) and transmission
This is basic powertrain coverage, with protection for the key components that power the vehicle.
Even though the Lexus extended warranty is fairly comprehensive when it comes to replacing parts that have failed due to defects in materials or workmanship, it doesn’t cover everything.
Here’s a list of some exclusions outlined in the vehicle service agreement:
The Lexus Luxury Care offering is a prepaid maintenance plan that extends already-included maintenance services and adds more comprehensive coverage. Ranging from two years and 20,000 miles to five years and 90,000 miles, Luxury Care package coverage includes:
Along with coverage for repair costs for mechanical breakdowns at the level specified in your plan, all Lexus Vehicle Service Agreements come with the following additional benefits:
Although Lexus extended warranties don’t cover costs related to cosmetic components, regular wear and tear or routine maintenance, Lexus drivers can buy coverage that provides added protection against such expenses.
Along with the protection against repairs resulting from mechanical breakdown that drivers can get with the Platinum, Gold and Powertrain plans, Lexus extended warranty customers can purchase the following coverage options:
With Lexus tire and wheel plans, coverage includes the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle’s tires if the damage relates to factory defects, workmanship or covered road hazards.
Lexus offers two levels of tire and wheel coverage, called Gold and Platinum — the latter also includes coverage for paintless dent repair and windshield repair. Additionally, key replacement protection can be added to either plan or purchased as standalone coverage.
The factory-backed gap insurance plan provides $1,000 in coverage if your car is declared a total loss after an accident, theft, environmental damage or a fire. Since these items are normally covered by car insurance and not extended warranties, reimbursements from a Lexus gap insurance plan are applied to your auto insurance deductible.
The Lexus Excess Wear & Use plan provides up to $7,500 in protection for leased vehicles from cosmetic damages like wheel damage, bumper scapes and windshield chips. This is more of a cosmetic protection plan than a wear-and-tear warranty.
On average, Lexus extended warranty costs can range anywhere from $1,637 to $4,650, depending on the model, coverage level and the term limit chosen. These figures are just based on quotes our team collected for a multitude of plans, however.
Below are sample quotes we received from Lexus for Extra Care Platinum plans on various vehicle models:
| Vehicle Model | Vehicle Mileage | Term Length | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 ES 350 | 35,000 | 5 years/60,000 miles | $1,682 |
| 2020 RX 350 | 38,000 | 8 years/100,000 miles | $4,025 |
| 2022 RX 350 | 25,000 | 8 years/100,000 miles | $3,481 |
| 2022 LX 570 | 28,000 | 7 years/75,000 miles | $2,465 |
| 2020 GX 460 | 35,000 | 6 years/80,000 miles | $2,731 |
| 2021 IS 300 | 35,000 | 5 years/75,000 miles | $4,650 |
Lexus extended warranties can be appealing for those who want the peace of mind of coverage just in case of an expensive major part breakdown. To determine whether or not a Lexus extended warranty is worth it, there are some important things to consider.
First, if your vehicle is reliable or has low repair costs, paying for repairs out of pocket may be preferable to buying an extended warranty. Second, if you already have factory coverage, it’s likely not worth it to purchase a Lexus extended warranty.
With that in mind, below we’ll discuss the reliability and maintenance cost of Lexus vehicles. We’ll also highlight the details of Lexus factory coverage, as well as how to find out whether or not your vehicle is covered.
Lexus topped the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study ℠ , which measures how many problems drivers face after three years with their vehicles. The study average was 190 problems per 100 vehicles on the road. Lexus was first out of 29 auto brands with an average of 135.
RepairPal is another source we trust when it comes to vehicle reliability. The site gives Lexus a score of 4 out of 5 for reliability, ranking it seventh among 32 automakers.
RepairPal puts the average annual repair cost of a Lexus at $551. This is well below the average of $652 across all auto brands.
Here are a few repair cost estimates from RepairPal for various Lexus models in different parts of the country:
| Lexus Model | Location | Repair | Estimated Repair Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 IS300 | Albany, N.Y. | Alternator replacement | $680 to $721 |
| 2020 GX460 | Sacramento, Calif. | Fuel injector replacement (one) | $778 to $936 |
| 2019 LX570 | Austin, Texas | Starter replacement | $894 to $1,065 |
| 2020 LC500 | Bloomington, Ind. | AC compressor replacement | $1,059 to $1,129 |
| 2020 RX350 | Raleigh, N.C. | Water pump replacement | $2,250 to $2,776 |
If one of the problems in the table above came up after your Lexus factory warranty expired, you’d be the one footing the repair bill. This is why knowing your existing warranty status is a key factor when deciding on whether or not it’s worth it to purchase an extended warranty.
The Lexus factory warranty offers coverage for four years or 50,000 miles. You get powertrain protection for six years or 70,000 miles with a new Lexus.
MarketWatch Guides TipTo find out if your Lexus vehicle is still covered under the original factory new car or CPO warranty, you will need to run a vehicle identification number (VIN) look-up. To do this, you’ll need your car’s VIN number and your vehicle’s mileage. If your vehicle’s model year or mileage is over the expiration date, your vehicle is no longer covered under the factory warranty.
Here’s a breakdown of the Lexus factory warranty:
Lexus also offers coverage for certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles under the L/Certified Limited Warranty. Used Lexus models must pass a 161-point inspection to qualify for CPO status. The 2-year/unlimited-mile warranty starts at the end of the Basic Warranty or the date of sale if the factory coverage has already expired.
The L/Certified warranty includes both bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage, and it gives owners complimentary maintenance for 2 years/20,000 miles. Like the Toyota warranty, roadside assistance and trip interruption coverage are also folded into the CPO warranty. Additionally, Lexus will provide a loaner car if repairs will take over eight hours.
Compared to most automakers, Lexus offers a wide variety of flexible coverage options with its extended warranty program. The automaker’s dedicated coverage for used vehicles is unique among factory extended warranties. Additionally, for customers interested in bumper-to-bumper protection, the Platinum plan offers comprehensive coverage at an affordable rate.
Most of the complaints regarding Lexus warranties on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) pages for specific Lexus dealers relate to the dealership or salesperson the driver purchased the warranty from — rather than to Lexus as a company. Common complaints about Lexus dealership warranties include:
Customers who purchase an extended warranty from a dealership should keep in mind that the commissions and aggressive sales quotas common in dealerships could lead to a poor purchase experience or customer service that is sub-par.
In general, the BBB site doesn’t list praises for Lexus extended warranties, as the site is set up to deal with complaints. Warranty shoppers seeking to learn about satisfied customers may need to visit individual dealership pages for that information.
Endurance ranks at the top of our industry-wide review of the best extended car warranty providers. The company is a direct warranty provider, which means there’s no intermediary between you and your coverage. Endurance features six levels of coverage, and each plan comes with a free year of Endurance Elite Benefits. These perks include key fob repair or replacement, road hazard tire repair and total loss assistance.
Here’s how Lexus extended warranty plans stack up to what Endurance offers:
| Endurance | Lexus | |
|---|---|---|
| Plan Options | 6 | 3 |
| Maximum Mileage | Unlimited | 125,000 |
| Maximum Age | 20 years | 4 |
| When To Buy | Anytime | Before factory warranty expires |
| Choice of Repair Shop | Any licensed mechanic | Lexus dealerships and authorized repair shops |
| Maintenance Coverage | Advantage ™ plan covers oil changes, brake pads, cooling system maintenance and more | Luxury Care package, which includes multi-point inspections, oil changes and tire rotations and can last up to five years or 90,000 miles |
| Benefits | Roadside assistance, trip interruption, rental car plus Elite Benefits like key fob replacement and tire repair for one year | Roadside assistance, travel protection for covered breakdowns more than 150 miles from home and rental car reimbursement |
While the Lexus extended warranty can be a good option, there are third-party providers that offer more coverage options and payment flexibility. Getting quotes from multiple companies can help you identify the most affordable breakdown coverage for your vehicle.
Here are a few frequently asked questions about the Lexus extended warranty:
Yes, Lexus offers an extended warranty. There are three tiers of Lexus extended warranty coverage: Extra Care Platinum, Extra Care Gold and Extra Care Powertrain.
The quotes we received for Platinum Care ranged from $1,600 to $4,700. How much you pay for a Lexus extended warranty will depend on your vehicle model, the level of coverage you choose and the terms of your vehicle service contract.
There are three Lexus extended warranty plans. The most comprehensive plan covers most mechanical breakdowns, while the most basic plan only covers the powertrain — including the engine, transmission and drive system.
Lexus vehicles are known for being some of the most dependable on the market. That said, Lexus extended warranty coverage can still be beneficial if you wouldn’t be able to pay for a major, unexpected repair out of pocket. Whether the extra coverage is worth it for you will depend on your personal financial situation.
Lexus VSAs are transferable to subsequent vehicle owners at no cost, although the plan only allows for one transfer. You also have the option to cancel your Lexus extended warranty. You can get a full refund (minus a $50 processing fee) if you cancel within 30 days, and a prorated refund thereafter.
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best extended car warranty companies. We collected data on dozens of auto warranty providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the companies that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
*Data accurate at time of publication.
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